Pollution watchdog under fire

Inaction over waste disposal sparked criticism

The Environment Agency has been accused by MPs of a "failure of leadership" which has undermined staff commitment and caused low morale.

A House of Commons Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee also raised "serious concerns" about the pollution watchdog's failure to tackle illegal dumping of waste.

Labour committee chairman MP Andrew Bennett said it had been hoped the agency's foundation in 1996 would benefit the environment, industry and society as a whole.

But MPs found progress in creating an effective, coherent and confident new body was slower than hoped for.

"There has been a failure of leadership in the agency, which has prevented it, thus far, from fulfilling the potential... to make a significant contribution to the attainment of sustainable development in England and Wales," said Mr Bennett.

MP Andrew Bennett led the government committee

He said the committee was impressed by the commitment of agency staff to improving the environment and to their jobs.

But he added: "We are concerned the commitment is being undermined by senior management decisions and actions in a number of areas, resulting in high staff turnover, low morale and a consequent decrease in the agency's effectiveness.

"In particular, we note the complaint that there is a 'box ticking' culture in the agency, which attaches more importance to the quantity of work done than to the quality."

Courts share blame

The agency, he said, had taken insufficient action to combat problems of inadequate staff training, fly-tipping and the disposal of waste at unlicensed sites, despite concerns expressed in previous reports.

Only by developing a clear vision of its role could it champion the environment properly, he added.

Courts were also criticised by the MPs for frequently failing to treat environmental offences seriously enough - effectively undermining the agency's regulatory role.

Their report also included recommendations to the government suggesting ways to encourage appropriate sentencing for environmental offences.

Leading role

Mr Bennett said the MPs were aware of the extreme importance of the role which the agency has to play.

"Environmental protection and enhancement are at the heart of sustainable development," he said.

"The agency, placed at the point where business and the environment meet, should be at the forefront of the move towards sustainable development.

"We look forward to seeing an Environment Agency which takes its place as the leading organisation in the process of attaining that goal."